The Cubs have made no secret of their desire to have the streets surrounding Wrigley Field turn into pedestrian plazas on game days, much the way the Red Sox have done with the streets outside of Fenway Park. Concessions and such, which will serve to not only make the ballpark more fun and comfortable for fans coming to the game, but which will also capture pre-game revenue that would otherwise go elsewhere.

All of that is a step closer now, thanks to a bill introduced before City Council. The Sun-Times:

The Cubs would be allowed to sell beer and wine from kiosks at an open-air plaza adjacent to a renovated Wrigley Field — and fans would be allowed to bring drinks in plastic cups to the plaza — in the latest in a string of concessions to the team.

There are obviously neighborhood politics to all of this. What taking up the space for the plaza does for traffic, access by residents, parking, etc. But from the fan’s and the team’s perspective alone this kind of setup is a win. Fans will have more stuff to do down by the park and the team will benefit from people willing to get their and spend their money earlier. Having seen how it all works before a game at Fenway, it’s hard to argue that it’s anything but a plus for the game-going experience.

I’ve only been to one game at Wrigley, but in my experience, there isn’t much parking down there anyways. And the streets are already filled with people, so you may as well sell them something. This may hurt some of the bars/restaurants in the area slightly, but I doubt it. Most people who would go to the bar before the game will still go to the bar instead of an open parking lot.

None of the bars or restaurants around Fenway Park are really hurt by the Red Sox taking over the streets. You still can’t get near those places and the lines are pretty long to get in. The losers in Boston are the street vendors, who lost their long time spots and the city of Boston, who gave the Red Sox a very sweet deal to do take this space over. The value of that space is great and the cost is low. There is no doubt that this is one lesson Epstein learned from Luchhino.

As a Wrigleyville resident, this is a terrible idea. Cubs fans do not need additional opportunities to drink. Plus you have WRIGLEYVILLE an area unlike any other in baseball (I’ve been to all but 2 parks) where you have a NEIGHBORHOOD OF BARS. Not to mention a 7-11 selling $2 tallboys right across the stadium and a jewel and CVS within walking distance for affordable pregame walking beers.. I do not see people coming in early to stand on the street, where they currently already can (Waveland/Sheffield) to pay ball park prices for concessions. It works in Fenway because there are not nearly as many bars around the park, and the ones closest are packed.

And get rid of the creeper bear. Sorry but an unknown faceless group of bears shaking down tourists for $ is just unnerving. Keep your kids away!